Metro East Sports Podcast

This episode begins with golf! Mason Lewis of Edwardsville HS is the MESPY winner for 3A Golfer of the Year. The SMU commit discusses growing up in a golf family, his season, and his top-20 finish at state.

Next up, O'Fallon Girls Golf Coach Chris Eddy to discuss leading the area's most consistent girls program, which finished 6th at state last weekend. Eddy talks about what made this team unique and the Metro East Golf Academy, which he founded in 2021, and which continues to develop local junior golfers.

Then, the brother-sister golf combo of Ally and Ryan Suhre of Metro East Lutheran HS are back in the studio to discuss their recent successful state golf tournaments. Ally shares her goals for the next two years, Ryan talks about how he's "ready for a break from golf."

Finally, we talk MELHS 8-man football with Head Coach Mike Koch and star players Zach Daly, Andrew Adams, and Abe Oberhauser. Coach and the boys are excited to share their thoughts on the season and their upcoming playoff game against Pawnee.

This episode focuses on two local girls high school programs: Belleville East Flag Football and Mascoutah Basketball.

The show begins with Coach Doug Zerjal, who began the girls flag football program at BE. Zerjal, who is currently the Boys Defensive Coordinator, could not suppress his desire to help start football for the girls at East, and he knew who he wanted to help lead his program, Annyca Wilson. Wilson, currently a senior, was the team's starting quarterback. Wilson shares her experience being on one of the two first girls football teams in the Metro East. The Lancers are in the studio to accept their MESPY for Girls Flag Football Team of the Year, and Wilson describes the improvement in the team throughout the year along with what she loves about the sport.

Next up, Addaya Moore comes from a basketball family, and the first-year head coach at Mascoutah, talks about how her dad helped shape her coaching philosophy, and she shares her excitement about taking over the program. Moore discusses her coaching style, her playing career, and why she choose to switch to Mascoutah this year.

This show focuses on the local hockey and cross country seasons.

First, Edwardsville High School Hockey Head Coach Jason Walker is in the studio to preview the upcoming high school season, which kicks off this Friday in the Hockey Fights Cancer Series against Oakville. Walker discusses playing in the Plummer Family Ice Arena and how the level of hockey has improved over the last few years. Joining Walker is Dan Brynildsen, owner of Play It Again Sports in Edwardsville. Brynildsen a former Alton High School hockey player talks about his store being a "one stop shop" for hockey amongst many other sports. He also shares memories of playing both against and with Walker as teammates at SIUE, where Walker set the league record for scoring.

Next up, Civic Memorial XC Coach Jake Peal is back with star runner Max Weber. Peal, a two time Boston Marathon finisher, talks about Weber's potential and what make the sport unique. Weber discusses his goals for the remainder of his career.

This show features 10 BIG GUESTS!

Beginning with Kahok Head Football Coach Colton Rhodes, who brings with him WR Amari Rodgers-Parrott and C Kaken Hearn. Coach Rhodes talks about the team's 3-3 start, and discusses his team's upcoming game with Marion. Rodgers-Parrott talks about his favorite play, and Hearn describes being a leader for the Purple footballers.

Next up, we sit down with one of the hottest teams in the Metro East: the Triad Knights Head Football Coach, Calvin Potthast is back in the studio, and he brings along with him QB Isaac Ackerman and "edge rushers" Aidan Patrick and Owen Lightner. Potthast describes what he likes about his team and his message today in practice. The boys discuss their style as a defense and how they like to set the tone for the game. Ackerman discusses his second year in the year leading the offense and the team's 6-0 start.

Rounding out the show, Granite City Superintendent of schools, Dr. Donald Harris was an athletic start at GCHS and Blackburn College, now he leads the entire district. Dr. Harris describes his passion for the community, and he brings with him two of his very athletic kids, Landon and Lydia. Landon, one of the area's top runners, describes what he loves about the sport and how his older sister got him into running. Lydia talks about her journey in the sport of crew; she describes how she got started in rowing, and she details the things that people may not understand about the sport.

This show features three amazing coaches.

Rich Crouthers and his organization, Without Limits, Team Galaxy, provide opportunities for nearly 500 individuals with special needs to play 15 sports! As the founder of the organization, Crouthers details the history of the group, which has gone from a modest group of about 5 athletes to one of the largest groups of its kind in the state!

Next up, Cody Markle "loves the people, the kids, and the town of Alton," and he considers himself "blessed" to have the opportunity to continue as the Head Football Coach. In his second year, Markle details what he likes about his team, and he discusses his positive working relationship with the kids and coaches on his staff.

Completing the show, Dupo Head Football Coach Zach Klaustermeier is back to talk Tiger football. Klaustermeier discusses adjusting to life as a dad, and he shares his thoughts on his team's hot start, which has included two recent close wins.

This episode has WIDE variety of greatness! Beginning with Alton High School Girls Tennis Coach Jesse Macias, who is joined by two of his senior leaders, Lily Schuler and Lauren Massey, the coach talks about the "big win" over Belleville East, the Robert Logan Memorial Tennis Invite, and his hopes for the remainder of the season. Massey talks about playing doubles with her sister, and Schuler describes playing number one singles for the Redbirds.

Next up, Coach Caty Happe's Liberty MS Panthers are on their way to state! Joining her in the studio are stars Haley Huling and Sammie Herbeck. Happe shares insight into coaching middle school and high school softball, and the girls talk about what they love about the sport along with their thoughts on playing for Coach Happe.

Finally, Althoff Football is off to a 4-0 start, and Coach Austin Frazier is back in the studio to talk about the team's success! He is joined by three of the area's best football players--Jason Dowell, Charleston Coldon, and Dierre Hill--all three have accepted d1 offers to play at Mizzou, Boston College, and Oregon. The boys talk about their roles on their undefeated teams, and Coach Frazier discusses coaching his talent-rich squad.

This show kicks off with NEW presenting sponsor Debbie Njai of Little Caesar's Pizza! Njai talks about her journey as a young, female entrepreneur, and her effort in founding "Black People Who Hike," which is creating opportunities world-wide. She also discusses the importance of "giving back," and she talks about opportunities for people looking for a job and coaches who want to raise some funds!

Next up, Highland HS XC Coach Joe Shannon is back with two of his star runners, Payton Frey and Christian Knobloch. Shannon discusses the competition in the MVC this season and what he likes about his team. The kids share their training regiment including sleeping and eating habits along with what they love about the sport.

Finally, Madison HS Head Football Coach Tavares Young is back with two of his gridiron stars, Darrius Williams and Kyron Trammel. Young shares the good news regarding facilities upgrades for the Trojans, and the boys talk about what they expect for the rest of their season seasons in football, basketball and track.

This show kicks off with Chicago tennis coach Brian Ostrander, who recently brought his team to the Heather Bradshaw Invitational hosted by Edwardsville High School. Ostrander give his perspective on the metro east, and shares his person tennis story, which has included 31 years as a high school tennis coach in Illinois. He leaves with sage advice on what he loves about the game and the experiences he's had.

Next up, Dr. Arthur Langston stops by to present the lates Integrity Spine and Joint Center Team of the Month, the Triad Girls Volleyball Team, which is represented in the studio by Coach Jami Parker and her daughter Grace, a sophomore outside hitter, who leads the STL-area in "serve percentage" and is yet to miss a serve this season. Coach Jami discusses how she has changed in her 23 years of coaching, and Grace talks about her busy sports schedule and playing for her mom.

This show features two outstanding individuals in the Metro East : Mascoutah HS Athletic Director Scott Battas and Alton High School golfer/bowler Sam Ottwell.

Battas begins the show bringing the energy from his town and school. He explains what makes Mascoutah "different," and he shares his vision for the school and the community as "a place that people want to live." Battas also outlines the incredible projects that he has taken on in the past, and he shares a few of the things he plans to develop in the future. He and Dave also discuss what it takes to be "extraordinary."

Our second guest is Alton Redbird two-sport standout Sam Ottwell, one of the area's best golfers and bowlers. Ottwell describes his expectations going into his senior season, the cross-over between bowling and golf, playing for Coach Dudley, and how his attitude helps him. He also introduces his girlfriend Madeline!

This show kicks off with junior cyclist Emily Hagedorn, a senior at Edwardsville High School, who recently won her age group at the Edwardsville Criterium. Hagedorn talks about how she got into the sport, and her love for riding bikes including "cycle cross." She also describes riding with cyclists of all ages and trap shooting--her other sport.

Next up, John Hough of the Gateway Sports Venue is back for a comprehensive preview of the upcoming high school football season in the metro east. Dave and Hough go over last year's highlights in every IHSA class size (1-8A), and Hough discusses his "teams to watch," "potential breakouts," and "bold predictions." Listen it to see if your favorite teams and players are mentioned!